15 Simple Garden Mistakes That Make Your Yard Look Uninviting
This post may contain affiliate links.
Gardens should be a mirror of natural beauty, a place that people want to come to and be relaxed. But there are some things you can do that will make your yard look anything but inviting. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or a novice, it’s easy to overlook little things that can make a huge difference in how your garden looks.
We’ll look at 15 common garden mistakes that may give your yard an underappreciated look.
Planting too Close Together
Plants don’t just grow better when you don’t cram them too close, cramming plants too close doesn’t just stifle their growth, it makes your garden look cluttered and unkempt. But what this does is it overcrowds and makes it harder for each plant to do well. Instead, let plants grow naturally, keeping healthy distance with air circulation.
Ignoring Seasonal Changes
If you plant without taking the seasons into account, your yard will be dull for half the year. Selecting plants that enjoy different seasons helps your garden stay alive throughout the year. This will prevent your plants from looking dead and barren like in the case where everything blooms, then dies off.
Overusing One Type of Plant
Using one type of plant may seem less complex and easier, but it makes your garden look monotonous. Without variety, your yard is one flat, boring piece of grass. Adding colors, heights and textures will keep your space interesting and dynamic.
Neglecting the Edges
An untended edge along your lawn or flower beds will spoil the appearance of a well cared for garden. Having no borders for your garden may give it an unfinished or wild look. Clean edges or decorative borders are installed helping to define the space and make it smooth.
Forgetting About Pathways
According to soil sisters, clear pathways in a garden make it easier to move, but in a sense, too many pathways can become chaotic. Don’t overdo it. If you don’t have a defined path, your visitors might be reluctant to wander around your yard. Add simple stepping stones or gravel paths not only to guide people through your garden but to give it a better design.
Skipping Regular Pruning
Allowing shrubs and trees to grow unchecked can make your garden appear overgrown and wild. Pruning your plants regularly is important so that they keep their shape and don’t take over your space. A neat garden is neat and well cared for.
Using the Wrong Plants for Your Climate
Choosing plants that are unsuited to the climate of your region means you’ll constantly have to maintain them and you will most likely be disappointed with the results. Unhealthy and bare plants make your garden look unkempt and disorganized reducing it’s beauty and appeal. Choose native or proven species for a natural, lush looking garden.
Overwatering or Underwatering
The key to a healthy garden is finding the right balance of water. Soggy soil and plant disease are caused by overwatering while underwatering causes withered, dry plants. Both extremes make it look as if you have a neglected and uninviting garden.
Using Too Many Decorative Items
Garden gnomes and other such decorations can certainly be fun, but too much of anything can turn your yard into a cluttered mess. Too many ornaments will take away from the natural beauty of your plants. Don’t try to fill your garden with so many things that it never looks right.
Neglecting Weeds
To start with, weeds grow easily and can easily make your garden look unruly and uncared for if you allow them to grow unchecked. Your whole garden suffers because weeds are competing for nutrients with your plants. Weeding regularly keeps your plants healthy and your garden looking well cared for.
Not Mulching
Skipping mulch may seem like a time saver, but your garden is left exposed. With mulch, your plants retain moisture better, and the soil doesn’t erode as quickly. Mulch protects your plants and also provides your garden with a neat appearance.
Improper Lighting
When it’s dark, a garden that’s too dark feels unwelcoming. Poor lighting can frustrate you when trying to check up on your plants and also discourages people from spending time in your yard. To create a nice, warm, inviting atmosphere, add soft, strategic lighting.
Mismatched Plant Heights
Planting tall species in front of smaller ones blocks your view and makes it look unbalanced. Without thinking about how tall the plants will grow, your garden could become disorganized. Layering plants, from tallest to shortest, results in a better-looking design.
Neglecting Vertical Spaces
Ignoring walls, fences or trellises is a wasted opportunity to increase height and interest to your garden. Vertical gardening can turn small spaces into something more lively and open. They can turn a drab area into something stunning, such as a climbing plant, hanging pot, or even a vine.
Poor Lawn Maintenance
Even the most beautiful flower beds look out of place when covered with an overgrown, patchy lawn. Keeping your lawn lush and green is easy with regular mowing, aerating and fertilizing that makes your garden the perfect backdrop. A tidy lawn will instantly improve the overall appeal of your entire yard.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
Affordable Home Entertainment: 11 Must-Have Finds For Enhancing Your Family Movie Nights
How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro
How to Clean Your Smoker Grill Combo Like a Pro
15 Common Mistakes That Unknowingly Make
